The heartbroken mother of a Dublin man who died while snorkelling on his honeymoon has said she is in shock at his death and does not know how it happened.

Andrew Roddy, from Killester, died on Tuesday while swimming with his new bride Gill Campion in the Maldives.

He had just turned 30 last week.

Speaking today from her home where she is being comforted by family, Marion Roddy said she got the terrible news yesterday morning.

Andrew Roddy and his wife Gillian Campion

“I was talking to Gill. She said they were out swimming and looking at dolphins or something. ‘I turned around and Andrew was gone’ she said, and she didn't know how it happened because they were near each other at the time,” said Marion.

She said Andrew was a strong swimmer and very involved with sports all his life.

Andrew worked for the New Ireland Assurance group and was due home on Monday.

“He met Gill through work, and they were great together,” said Marion.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed to the Irish Independent that it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance to the deceased man's family in Ireland.

There is no Irish embassy in the Maldives. However, officials at the Irish embassy in New Delhi in India are liaising with the authorities in the Maldivian capital of Malé following Andrew’s death.

Parish priest Fr Liam Ó Cuív told Independent.ie that Mr Roddy was an only child and that the community are devastated.

"Andrew was an only child. He was a gentle giant.

"It's such a terrible tragedy. He was only married a few weeks. I just helped to get his baptismal cert for his wedding. It's heartbreaking."

Colleagues at New Ireland Assurance also paid tribute to Mr Roddy.

"We were shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of our dear colleague, Andrew Roddy. On behalf of the entire management and staff of New Ireland we extend our condolences and support to his family and friends."

The Maldives consists of almost 1,000 coral islands spread across hundreds of kilometres. However, just over 100 of the islands are inhabited and it has a flourishing tourist industry.

The destination has been gaining in popularity with Irish holidaymakers in recent years and is particularly popular among young and honeymooning couples.

A number of Irish-based tour operators organise holiday packages to the Indian Ocean islands.